A new food delivery app scam is targeting users by asking for OTPs through fake calls. Here’s my real experience and how you can stay safe.
Online food delivery has become a daily convenience for many of us, but recently I experienced a shocking new scam that almost fooled me. Fraudsters are now targeting users of popular food delivery apps, and their tactics are extremely convincing.
I’m sharing exactly what happened so you can stay safe.
How the Scam Began
Everything started normally.
I placed an order through a well-known food delivery app. Nothing unusual.
But within minutes, I got a call from someone claiming to be from the restaurant. That’s where things took a strange turn.
“Sir, there’s an issue in our portal…”
The caller confidently said:
“Our restaurant portal is showing a technical issue, so your order isn’t reflecting properly. We will deliver your order directly. You will receive an OTP — please share it so we can confirm.”
This immediately sounded odd.
Why would I need an OTP to receive food?
When I Refused, They Tried a Second Trick
I said:
“I will not share any OTP.”
The scammer quickly changed tone:
“No problem sir, we will still deliver the order. After you receive it, share the OTP then.”
This is where many people fall victim — because the delivery actually arrives, making the call seem genuine.
After the Food Was Delivered, They Called Again
Soon after the delivery partner handed over my order, the same scammer called again, this time more aggressively:
“Sir, share the OTP or the delivery person will take the food back.”
This is completely false.
A delivered order cannot be taken back by any delivery agent. But someone unaware of this could easily panic and give in.
Fortunately, I still refused.
How Did They Get My Details?
The caller knew:
My name
My phone number
The restaurant name
The order timing
This clearly means scammers are finding ways to access customer information, possibly through insider leaks or unlawful data access. While we cannot blame any specific platform, it’s clear that scammers are misusing this information to appear legitimate.
Why Sharing an OTP Is Extremely Dangerous
That OTP is not related to your food order.
Sharing it can allow scammers to:
Log in to your food delivery app account
Change your password
Access saved payment methods
Make unauthorized purchases
Steal personal information
Once they get access, recovery becomes difficult.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never share an OTP with anyone.
- Ignore calls claiming “portal error” or “order issue.”
- If there’s a genuine problem, you will be notified inside the app itself.
- Delivery agents cannot take food back once delivered.
- Contact customer support only through the official app.
- Block and report suspicious numbers immediately.
Clear Red Flags of a Scam
Asking for OTP for “order confirmation”
Claiming technical issues with the restaurant portal
Pressuring you after delivery
Threatening to take back your order
Asking for payments outside the app
If you hear any of these — disconnect the call instantly.
Why I’m Sharing This
The scam looked very real, and the callers were extremely confident. I almost fell for it, and I know others could be fooled too.
Sharing this experience can help more people stay alert and avoid becoming victims.
For Help:-
Disclaimer
This article describes a real incident for awareness only. It does not claim or imply that any specific food delivery platform, restaurant, or delivery partner is involved in fraudulent activity. Scammers often impersonate genuine services, and official platforms are not responsible for such third party scams.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe
Food delivery apps are meant to make life easier — not stressful.
Let’s stay informed and protect ourselves from rising digital fraud.
FAQs
What is the new food delivery app scam?
A scammer calls after you place an order on a food delivery app, pretending to be from the restaurant. They claim there’s a “portal issue” and ask for an OTP to confirm delivery—this OTP is used to hijack your account.
How does the food delivery app scam work?
Fraudsters access your order details, call you, and request an OTP. Once you share it, they gain control of your account, payment methods, and personal info.
How to avoid food delivery app scams?
Never share OTPs, ignore calls about “app errors,” and always contact support through the official food delivery app.
